Walking School Bus keeps kids safe & active

November 28, 2011

Walking School Bus on the way to Robinson Elementary

The Walking School Bus is up and running in three Birmingham City Schools this fall, taking advantage of good weather and adult volunteers to make it safer and easier for children to walk to school. The project began in September at Robinson Elementary, Hemphill Elementary and Hudson K-8 as part of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Initiative and Health Action Partnership.

Director of Initiatives Gus Heard-Hughes from our office joined the walking group one day and saw how much the kids enjoyed this new way of spending time with their friends, getting outdoors and getting to school safely.

The Walking School Bus groups two adults with each group of children. As the program began, parents, retirees, college students, YMCA staff members and other volunteers were taking turns in walking the routes around the three schools. As children joined the “bus,” it was clear that this pilot program was fun as well as something with potential to help everyone lead healthier lives.